UNC laboratory draws map of cancer

Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill are helping create the national Cancer Genome Atlas to map mutations found in cancer tumors. The goal is to point the way to better tests and treatments.

Chuck Perou's laboratory at UNC-CH is conducting an analysis of hundreds of tissue samples from lung, brain and ovarian cancer tumors and plans to build an map that could aid doctors in finding better treatments for the cancers.

News and Observer
March 14, 2007
Jean P. Fisher, Staff Writer

UNC helps draw map of cancer
Genetic study of tumors might help scientists with detection, cure

The scientists in Chuck Perou's laboratory at UNC-Chapel Hill plot cancer genes like towns and roads on a map -- coordinates that one day will result in a cancer atlas guiding doctors to smarter treatments.

In the next few weeks, Perou, a cell biologist and geneticist, will lead his research team in an analysis of hundreds of tissue samples taken from lung, brain and ovarian cancer tumors. All three have limited treatment options and have never been thoroughly analyzed at the genetic level.

Advances in care for other types of cancers have shown that understanding the genetic characteristics of tumors can be clinically valuable.

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